I know buying cars obviously comes down to personal choice and at the end of the day that choice is mine, but I am torn between the followiing Freelanders and I wonder if you might give me your views on which you would plump for if the choice were yours? I am not asking you to make my mind up for me but the two cars have differing advantages and I am not sure which are the best features.

My driving is mainly on-road, but want the Freelander for it's sure footing in winter and maybe some green-laning down the line.

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 SW SD4 XS 2.2 Diesel Automatic 5 door Station Wagon (2013) - This is a Mauritius Blue XS 62 plate registered 30 Jan 2013. It appears to be the new 2013 model with the LED lights - 112 miles on clock . £29,495

Extras /Standard spec aren't too detailed.

ABS Brakes
Air Conditioning
Alarm Fitted
Alloy Wheels
Balance Of Manufacturer Warranty
Bluetooth
CD Player
Central Locking
Company Demonstator
Cruise Control
Electric Windows
Full Service History
Leather Interior
Metallic Paint
Multiple Airbags
One Owner Only
Power Steering
Rear Parking Sensors
Satellite Navigation

or

Land Rover Freelander 2.2 SD4 HSE Diesel Auto 2012 - This is a Baltic Blue HSE 12 plate registered, I think any time between Mar - Aug 2012 - 1714 miles on clock £28,999

Extras /Standard spec better detailed.

Leather
Almond Full
Automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Bluetooth Telephone Connectivity
Cold climate Pack
Colour navigation system with TMC
Cruise control
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)
Driver & passenger side airbags
Electric front seats
Electric heated door mirrors
Front fog lamps
Heated front windscreen
Heated seats
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
ISOFIX child anchorage bracket
Park distance control (PDC)
Push-button start
Rain sensor windscreen
Rear spoiler
Electric panoramic sunroof
Terrain Response system
Full size spare wheel
60/40 split folding rear seat
Anti-lock braking system
CD autochanger
Driver & passenger airbags
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Clearview Pack

I am torn betwen a newer model that has good spec and a slightly older version that has a top spec. Any advice, please? Joanne

Freelander 1.8 Petrol XEi Jan 1998 - 2004
Freelander 2 (MY13) SD4 Auto XS (Mauritius Blue) - May 2013 onwards

I can't decide but I'd like the 'problem' of having to decide between 2 £29K models!  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I would go for the MY13 model, the 'extra 'goodies' are not worth it in my opinion as the XS is well specced anyway, and you have shorted yourself in the XS list, it has more than what you have written.

It also has:
Automatic headlights
Driver & passenger side airbags
Electric heated door mirrors
Front fog lamps
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
ISOFIX child anchorage bracket
Push-button start
Rain sensor windscreen wipers
Terrain Response system
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and more ......

Good spec and facelifted model, no contest. All radio/CD etc playing and options now done by integrated touch screen

Last edited by EYorkshire on 29th Apr 2013 1:59 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I'm with EY, the HSE is top spec, the XS is the one down from that but still a very good spec and it is the MY13 latest model, if it was my money I'd go with the XS. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

XS MY2013, its newer, has enough goodies too

or look further afield for a MY2013 HSE with more Goodies ,but for more money  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Thanks all that's helped me. I was leaning toward the XS, but thought I might be stupid in missing out on the HSE. I've seen some views expressed in the forum that the changes on the MY 2013 are really only cosmetic but the newer model was a tempting choice.

Well I've sent off an email of interest in the XS and we'll see how it goes. Looking forward to seeing it now and test driving. Joanne

Freelander 1.8 Petrol XEi Jan 1998 - 2004
Freelander 2 (MY13) SD4 Auto XS (Mauritius Blue) - May 2013 onwards

I would agree and go for the new model with only 112 miles

Iain

Agree with everyone else that the 13MY is probably the way to go - I actually went for 13MY GS over an older HSE as the interior has been much improved and the GS had everything I really needed equipment wise. The only thing I would say is if seat comfort is particularly important to you, make sure you try the electric seats in an HSE as well as the manual ones in the 13MY XS. The manual seats don't have any adjustable lumbar support and I get a lot of back pain, particularly on longer drives. If you have never had any issues with your back I'm sure it won't wake any difference to you though, just thought it might be worth a mention.

Jo

Again, thanks 'all', especially about the seating as I have had back problems in the past, so I'll check it out. Joanne

Freelander 1.8 Petrol XEi Jan 1998 - 2004
Freelander 2 (MY13) SD4 Auto XS (Mauritius Blue) - May 2013 onwards

I would go for the MY13. Mauritius blue is a lovely colour. I'm not too bothered about the upgrades that the MY13 brought, I like the MY11-12 and that's why I bought one.

the 2013 for sure! They have improve the interior and the tech gadgets a lot! Yuri
(ARS) XE1UN, EA1HCZ

13 LR2 (FL2) HSE Lux SI4
Havana/Black
(Mexico)

08 LR2 (FL2) SE
Tambora/Black
(Mexico GONE)

05 DISCOVERY 3 G4 V8
Tangiers Orange/Black
(Spain)

13 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE SDV6
Orkney Grey / Ebony (Black)
(Spain)

07 RANGE ROVER SPORT HSE TDV8
Java Black/Black
(Spain GONE)

02 DEFENDER 90 BLACK LE TD5
(Spain GONE)

09 VOLVO XC70 OCEAN RACE EDITION D5
Ocean Race Blue
(Spain)

'Fraid I can't disagree with the consensus. The new dash layout on the '13 outweighs the extra gadgets on an older HSE for me.

I had a similar decision recently: a MY2011 SD4 XS or a MY2010 HSE. I opted for the XS to get the SD4 engine (although my XS was spec'd with the key HSE extras anyway - so all I really compromised on was the auto dipping wing mirrors, memory seats and better stereo  FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Although I really like the new interior, I still love my MY11 the way it is. I actually like the design of the older dash. I might upgrade my car next year to a MY14 and keep that until the FL3 comes out, then I will get to try all the upgrades!

I get on ok with it, but for me it does feel a bit cluttered and dated - buttons, buttons, buttons! I especially like that the MY2013 brings all the functionality into one screen.

Consumer tech has made so much progress over the last decade, in car consumer tech though always seems so far behind the curve. Comparing how I interact with my smartphone vs how I interact with similar functionality in my FL2 - they're a long way apart.

Quite frankly, IMHO, they should get out of the game and let the experts (Apple, Google, Samsung etc.) own that bit We're seeing some moves in that direction but I doubt the car manufacturers will cede much control. FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green